The market is anticipated to witness a significant growth over the forecast period on account of increasing demand for polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) in end-use sectors such as construction, automotive, electronics, and medical. The use of MMA in the construction sector is driven by the recovery of the building and construction market in Europe.

Global rise in demand for automobiles, improved vehicle design capabilities, and increasing importance of lightweight and emission control vehicles are major factors driving demand for MMA in the automotive industry.

Majority of MMA that is produced globally is polymerized to produce homo and copolymers, with extrusion of various polyacrylates being the largest application. PMMA is the most commonly used polyacrylate. Increasing use of PMMA, which uses MMA as a raw material, in end use industries is propelling market growth.

Rise in PMMA prices has triggered customers in automotive and medical sectors to use cheaper plastics, such as polycarbonate and polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG), as a substitute to PMMA.

Application Insights

Majority of the MMA produced is consumed by producers as a chemical intermediate in the production of various polymers such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), styrene methyl methacrylate (SMMA), and methacrylate acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (MABS). Over 50% of the MMA produced is used for the production of cast acrylic sheets and molding and extrusion compounds.

MMA monomers are used in the production of paints and coatings. They are also used to produce durable coatings that are weather-resistant and durable. Methacrylic monomers have low volatile organic compound (VOC) content, which makes them suitable for use in road marking and marine coating applications.

End-use Insights

The Europe methyl methacrylate (MMA) market is segmented on the basis of end use into construction, automotive, electronics, and others. MMA is used as a monomer for copolymerization and production of various PMMA cast and extruded sheets. The derived PMMA extruded sheets are used in window panels and domes in the building and construction industry owing to several features such as high transparency, UV resistance, and surface hardness. A wide array of nanoporous polymeric materials such as PMMA and polystyrene are preferred in manufacturing of vacuum insulation panels. Growth in use of PMMA in various construction end uses is propelling the demand for MMA.

Polymer electrolytes blended with PMMA and poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) exhibit improved thermal stability and ionic conductivity compared to conventional polymer electrolytes used in lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles. Emerging Asian economies such as India, Singapore, and Thailand are rapidly becoming manufacturing hubs for electric vehicles for European companies. Rapid growth in manufacturing of electric vehicles is expected to accelerate the use of PMMA, which, in turn, is anticipated to drive demand.

Regional Insights

Revitalized automotive market, increasing consumer disposable income, and rise in construction and infrastructural spending in the European Union member states are some of the factors likely to trigger market growth. Increased spending in the building and construction industry, which was the largest segment in terms of revenue in 2016, mainly drives demand for MMA. Presence of EU’s energy-efficiency initiatives, such as Horizon 2020, to achieve energy efficiency in residential and commercial spaces is the main driver triggering product demand.

Europe Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) Market Share Insights

Competitive rivalry among producers is high owing to presence of key players in the market. This is supported by the fact that some of the leading players, such as Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (MCC), Sumitomo Chemicals Co., Ltd., and Evonik Industries AG, announced their expansion strategies and established joint ventures with various prominent stakeholders in the Middle East and European regions.

Sumitomo Chemicals Co., Ltd. and Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation have made long-term strategic collaborations with Saudi Arabia-based chemical manufacturing companies Saudi Aramco and SABIC for commissioning new MMA plants to increase their production capacities. Such strategic partnerships have given Sumitomo Chemicals Co., Ltd. and Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation a fair advantage over other dominant competitors in the market. Rise in demand in Europe has provided opportunities to producers in the Middle East and Asia to cater to this surge. This has led to severe price pressure on European producers.

Report Scope

Attributes

Details

Base year for estimation

2016

Actual estimates/Historical data

2007 - 2015

Forecast period

2017 - 2028

Market representation

Volume in kilotons and revenue in USD million and CAGR from 2017 to 2028

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Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts volume and revenue growth at country levels and provides an analysis on latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2014 to 2028. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the Europe methyl methacrylate (MMA) market on the basis of application, end use, and region: